Monday, May 4, as part of International Firefighters Day, the Town Hall of Port-au-Prince celebrated the courage and the spirit of sacrifice of its valiant firefighters and took the opportunity to present its Municipal Fire Service (SIMPAP).

Remember for the record, that following the cancellation of the carnival in 2019, Ralph Youri Chevry the Mayor of Port-au-Prince had announced the reorientation of the funds planned for this event in order to provide the Town Hall with a firefighters service to serve the commune.

From May 2019, 16 young people from the commune, carefully selected, took part in rigorous training for 7 months. Today they represent the very first promotion of firefighters from the town of Port-au-Prince.

Since December 2019 these firefighters have responded to more than a hundred emergencies ranging from simple rescue to major fires such as that of the "Nan Gerit" Market (Croix des Bossales) on January 14, 2020. SIMPAP has also come in reinforcement firefighters from neighboring municipalities during major operations.

From the state of health emergency, it is these same firefighters who day and night spray and disinfect the various districts of the capital with chlorinated water to fight against the spread of the Coronavirus Covid-19. They are also responsible for replenishing water for all the handwashing stations set up across the city, as well as for deprived areas that do not have access to drinking water.

"To these 16 young people, that we are celebrating today, the commune of Port-au-Prince says a big thank you. Words will never be enough to express our gratitude for this enormous sacrifice that you make every day."

HL/ HaitiLibre